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Spring Letter 2024
Dear EMPOA-Mooniacs,
It has now been almost 6 months since I took over as President of EMPOA from David Kromka. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the other Mooniacs who are involved in the EMPOA Board of Directors: Peter de Grove (VP), Dirk Küppelberg (Treasurer), Tina Haug (Spokesperson), Alex Haselmann (Technical Director).
Many EMPOA-Mooniacs already know me from past EMPOA trips and activities, and I was able to meet others at the Annual General Meeting 2023 in Mannheim and our Christmas party 2023 in Bayreuth. I am not an EMPOA-Mooniac from the very beginning - which is another reason why I would like to briefly introduce myself here in the newsletter: I started flying as a glider pilot, later I added my PPL-A, IFR and CPL. I have been operating a Mooney M20J MSE in an owner's association for now just over 7 years. It’s based in Heppenheim (EDEP) - yes, on a grass airfield (some people call me crazy or brave for this... - it is actually safe and quite possible!) I am also (indirectly) professionally connected to aviation: I work as a software engineer at DFS, being responsible for the development of air traffic control software.
I was happy to meet many like-minded people and friends through EMPOA starting 2016/17: not only sharing the passion of flying, but also the common love of traveling (good food and wine should not be forgotten) and the shared challenges that arise in the operation of our Mooneys.
Therefore, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank David Kromka once again, who has helped shape the EMPOA for over 10 years. Above all, he has also (co-)organized many great excursions and events for us Mooniacs. Thank you all these events - but also for the fact that David will continue to organize exciting EMPOA excursions for us in the future.
At the moment, two activities have already been scheduled:
David will organize a trip to Sweden via Kalmar and Mariehamn for us after a (quite clear) vote in our Telegram chat group, but also by e-mail. This trip will take place between June 20 and 23. I have heard that our Finnish club colleagues are supporting us with their local knowledge. Details on the itinerary, registration, etc. will be available soon via our usual channels (e-mail, Telegram group and website).
I am also pleased that EMPOA-Mooniac Claus Knopf from Gunzenhausen (EDMH) will be organizing a "Franconian Bratwurst Fly-In" on Saturday, June 1, 2024 at his home airfield. A reminder and detailed information will also be sent out in due time.
The EMPOA thrives on the activities that we members organize for each other. With this in mind, I would like to bring out an appeal at the beginning of this year: We are looking for ideas, hosts and organizers for our Annual General Meeting (AGM) 2024 and the Christmas party 2024. I, or rather all of us, look forward to your feedback!
An "evergreen" issue that concerns us all is the insurance of our Mooneys. As EMPOA, we are working with our insurance broker to maintain and further expand good insurance conditions and a strong negotiating position for all of us.
Also important for you to know: our insurance broker AdVertum has merged with MRH Trowe and is now operating under the new name MRH Trowe. The contact persons and the conditions of our EMPOA framework agreement remain unaffected. We are also working with MRH Trowe to expand and facilitate the offer for non-German Mooneys.
We held an online event on this in December 2023. If you would like to watch the recording of this event, please contact me (
If you have any questions about your contract, change of broker, adjustment of conditions, etc., please contact MRH Trowe directly:
Franziska Schrade,
Last but not least - our homepage and our Telegram group:
Our Telegram group is another very lively communication channel. I can only invite you all to take part. Contact Tina (+49 151 53858270 or @TinaHaug on Telegram) so that she can add you.
I would also like to advertise our member listing. Of course, this is also voluntary - but it's always nice when you meet Mooneys on the airfield to quickly get in touch with fellow EMPOA-Mooniacs or simply find friends and acquaintances here.
Details regarding the inclusion in this listing: https://www.empoa.eu/index.php/de/login/members-listing
The February weather is still only tempting for a few trips - but spring is just around the corner all over Europe: with this in mind, I wish us all many fast and safe flights!
Markus Wagner
-President EMPOA-